Device and methods for moving an object between machines joined by a common conveyor

Abstract

An automated assembly that can be retroactively added to a bank of machines in order to advance an object across the bank of machines in an automated fashion. The automation assembly includes a plurality of elongated elements that can be rotated from a first orientation, capable of engaging an object to be moved across the bank of machines, to a second orientation that is clear of the object to be moved. Each of the elongated elements are equidistantly spaced on a common support along a line matching the linear path along which the object on the bank of machines will be moved. A reciprocating device joins the common support of the elongated elements to a stationary point. As a result, the reciprocating device causes the common support and the various elongated elements to reciprocate back and forth between a first position and a second position. As the reciprocating device moves from the first position to the second position, the elongated elements are in the first orientation wherein one of the elongated elements contacts the object and pushes it from the first position to the second position. When the reciprocating device returns the elongated elements back to the first position, the elongated elements first retract into the second orientation so as not to push the object backward from its newly advanced position. Once back at the first position, the elongated elements return to the first orientation, wherein a next subsequent elongated element engages the object and moves the object further along its linear path as the reciprocating device again moves the elongated element forward to the second position. This cycle is repeated until the object is advanced by each of elongated element present on the automation device.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A device for moving an object along linear path and adapted to be carried by a plurality of machines, comprising: a pair of mounting brackets adapted to be carried by at least one of the machines;   an elongated rod slideably and rotatably carried by the mounting brackets;   a frame structure carried by said elongated rod;   an actuator rod rotatably carried by the frame;   a plurality of elongated elements extending from the actuator rod;   means for selectively rotating the actuator rod across a predetermined range, wherein the elongated elements move from a first orientation capable of engaging the object on the linear path to a second orientation clear of the object on the linear path; and   lateral movement means for selectively moving the actuator rod and the frame on a parallel path a predetermined distance from a first position to a second position, whereby at least one of the elongated elements in the first orientation is capable of contacting the object at the first position and pushing the object from the first position to the second position.   
     
     
       2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of elongated elements are spaced apart by at least the predetermined distance, whereby an object moved from the first position to the second position by a first of the elongated elements can be engaged by a subsequent one of the elongated elements. 
     
     
       3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the lateral movement means includes a pneumatic cylinder coupled between one of the mounting brackets and the frame structure, wherein the pneumatic cylinder can be selectively controlled to move the frame structure between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       4. A device according to claim 3, wherein the means for selectively rotating the actuator rod includes at least one linkage coupled to the actuator rod, and a second pneumatic cylinder coupled between the linkage and the frame structure, wherein the second pneumatic cylinder can be selectively controlled to move the linkage and apply a torque to the actuator rod, thereby selectively causing the movement of elongated elements between the first orientation and the second orientation. 
     
     
       5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined range is approximately 90°. 
     
     
       6. A device according to claim 3, wherein the means for selectively rotating the actuator rod includes: a leverage element coupled to the actuator rod wherein the leverage element pivots about the actuator rod;   the elongated rod coupled to the frame structure in a manner that enables the elongated rod to rotate about its own longitudinal axis;   at least one linkage coupled between the elongated rod and the leverage element;   a torque arm rigidly coupled to the elongated rod; and   a second pneumatic cylinder between the frame structure and the torque arm for selectively moving the torque arm and causing a corresponding rotation in the elongated rod, whereby the rotation causes the at least one linkage to move the leverage element and causes a corresponding rotation in the actuator rod.   
     
     
       7. A device as in claim 6, further comprising a pair of slide bearings mounted on the mounting brackets for slidably receiving the rod. 
     
     
       8. A device as in claim 6, wherein the leverage element is a control rod and a plurality of second torque arms are rigidly affixed to the actuator rod and the control rod. 
     
     
       9. A device for advancing each of a plurality of objects to each of a plurality of processing positions along a linear path defined by a plurality of conveyor segments, and adapted to be carried by a plurality of cleaning machines, comprising: a pair of mounting brackets adapted to be carried by at least one of the machines;   an elongated rod and rotatably carried by the mounting brackets;   a frame structure carried by said elongated rod;   an actuator rod rotatably carried by the frame;   a plurality of elongated elements extending from the actuator rod and corresponding in number to the plurality of processing positions wherein each of the plurality of elongated elements is spaced a predetermined distance apart;   orientation means for selectively rotating the actuator rod across a predetermined range, wherein the elongated elements moving from a first orientation causes the plurality of elements to intersect the path of the plurality of objects and a second orientation clear of the plurality of objects on the linear path;   lateral movement means for selectively moving said frame and plurality of elongated elements a predetermined distance along the linear path from a first position to a second position in a forward stroke and from the second position back to the first position in a return stroke, whereby at least one of the elongated elements in the first orientation is capable of contacting the object at the first position and pushing the object from the first position to the second position; and   the orientation means and the lateral movement means adapted to couple to a controller of the plurality of cleaning machines.   
     
     
       10. A device according to claim 9, wherein the lateral movement means includes a pneumatic cylinder coupled between one of the mounting brackets and the frame structure, wherein the pneumatic cylinder can be selectively controlled to move the frame structure between the first position and the second position. 
     
     
       11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the orientation means includes: a control rod coupled to the actuator rod wherein the control rod pivots about the actuator rod;   the elongated rod is coupled to the frame structure in a manner that enables the elongated rod to rotate about its own longitudinal axis;   at least one linkage coupled between the elongated rod and the control rod;   a torque arm rigidly coupled to the elongated rod; and   a second pneumatic cylinder between the frame structure and the torque arm for selectively moving the torque arm and causing a corresponding rotation in the elongated rod, whereby the rotation causes the at least one linkage to move the control rod and cause a corresponding rotation in the actuator rod.   
     
     
       12. A device according to claim 11, wherein the pneumatic cylinder of the lateral movement means and second pneumatic cylinder of the orientation means are coupled to the controller of the plurality of the cleaning machines for coordinating the operation of the device with the plurality of the cleaning machines. 
     
     
       13. A method of advancing an object along a linear path to each of a plurality of processing positions, comprising the steps of: providing an automation assembly mounted on a plurality of cleaning machines, said assembly having a plurality of elongated arms on an actuator rod; positioning said plurality of elongated arms proximate to the linear path in a first orientation such that a first one of the plurality of elongated arms engages a side of the object opposite the direction in which the object is to be advanced, said actuator rod being supported on a frame mounted on a sliding and rotating elongated rod, in turn mounted on a pair of brackets adapted to be attached to said cleaning machines;     moving the plurality of elongated arms a predetermined distance from a first position to a second position by moving a frame carrying the elongated arm relative to the plurality of cleaning machines, thereby pushing the object along the linear path from said first position;   reorienting the plurality of elongated arms to a second orientation that is clear of the object on the linear path by pivotably rotating an actuator rod carrying the elongated arms;   retracting the plurality of elongated arms from said second position back to said first position by moving the frame back to relative to the plurality of cleaning machines;   orienting said plurality of elongated arms back into said first orientation by pivotably rotating the actuator rod, wherein a next subsequent one of said plurality of elongated arms engages the side of the object opposite the direction in which the object is to be advanced; and   repeating the positioning, moving, reorienting, retracting, and orienting steps until the object has been pushed along the linear path to all of the processing positions.   
     
     
       14. A method according to claim 13, wherein the steps of moving and retracting the plurality of the elongated arms by moving the frame is done by a pneumatic cylinder, and the steps of positioning, reorienting, and orienting the plurality of elongated arms by pivotable rotation of the actuator rod is done by a second pneumatic cylinder, and further comprising the step of coordinating the operation of the automation assembly with the plurality of the cleaning machines by connecting the pneumatic cylinders to a controller of the plurality of the cleaning machines.